The Importance of a Healthy Gut Microbiota

We have around 100 trillion microbial cells in our gut. While we only have ~40 trillion cells of our own.

Why do good gut bacteria (microbiota) matter? They help us maintain good healthy by: supplying us essential nutrients, synthesizing vitamin K (important for forming blood clots and bone health), promoting angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels) and nerve function in our gut.

There is emerging evidence that gut microbiota plays an important role in: a healthy immune system, a healthy nervous system, maintaining good mental health, maintaining a healthy weight and much more.

The data for all of these is limited, includes mostly animal studies and a lot of theory.Regardless, the is no doubt that a healthy gut microbiota is very important for overall health.

Schematic representation of the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease giving some examples of inputs and outputs. CVD=cardiovascular disease; IPA=indolepropionic acid; LPS=lipopolysaccharide; SCFA=short chain fatty acids; TMAO=trimethylamine N-oxide. Source: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k2179

Unfortunately, there is a lot that can destroy our gut microbiota, including: poor diet, such as limited fiber intake and excessive sugar, stress and poor sleep, antibiotic use

What can you do to maintain a healthy gut? Eat a healthy diet, rich in probiotics, fiber and lean meats, manage stress, exercise consistently

After a course of antibiotics your gut Microbiota can get destroyed, but what can you do to get your gut back on track? Consume probiotics, ideally with Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces & Bifidobacterium animalis. There is evidence that taking Saccharomyces at the same time as antibiotics can lessen the GI upset and complications

What is a probiotic? Yogurt or pills containing microorganisms, which have beneficial effects. This is in contrast with a pre-biotics, which are plant fibers that will provide food to the microbiota and allow them to grow. Some of the most well studied pro-biotics: Align, Culturelle, Florastor

Lab Door does quality reviews of different supplements & probiotics: https://labdoor.com/rankings/probiotics